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SHOWCASING AND SUPPORTING Worcestershire's glorious culture, heritage and modernity. . . .Thu, 17 May 2018 10:38:41 +0000en-GBhourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.8.6http://westernregional.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/cropped-favicon-32x32.jpghttp://westernregional.co.uk/home
3232Worcester celebrates Oak Apple Dayhttp://westernregional.co.uk/home/worcester-celebrates-oak-apple-day/
http://westernregional.co.uk/home/worcester-celebrates-oak-apple-day/#respondThu, 17 May 2018 10:38:23 +0000http://westernregional.co.uk/home/?p=1445The Commandery in Worcester will be bringing to life the little-known English celebration of Oak Apple Day as part of

]]>The Commandery in Worcester will be bringing to life the little-known English celebration of Oak Apple Day as part of its programme of authentic, historic events.

Oak Apple Day Celebrations
Sunday 27 May (1.30–5.00pm) and Monday 28 May (10.00am–5.00pm) at The Commandery, Worcester.

Enjoy two days of traditional spring-time festivities at The Commandery, including live theatre, living history, family games and Morris dancing. The spectacular Grade I listed Commandery in Worcester will be festooned with garlands of oak leaves to celebrate the story of Charles II’s restoration. Find out about his flight from Worcester, after his Royalist army was famously beaten by the Parliamentarians during the final battle of the English Civil War in 1651, and how he hid in an oak tree to escape!

Adults £5.95 (Concessions £4.95), Children FREE, Annual ticket £10.95

Read the full story in the latest (Spring 2018) issue of WR magazine, available at more than 1,000 locations around Worcestershire; or click on the link on our Home page.

]]>http://westernregional.co.uk/home/worcester-celebrates-oak-apple-day/feed/0Peter Gill presents the songs of Tom Lehrer . . . Vintage satire still engaging 60 years onhttp://westernregional.co.uk/home/peter-gill-presents-songs-tom-lehrer-vintage-satire-still-engaging-60-years/
http://westernregional.co.uk/home/peter-gill-presents-songs-tom-lehrer-vintage-satire-still-engaging-60-years/#respondMon, 07 May 2018 11:44:29 +0000http://westernregional.co.uk/home/?p=1435In the latter part of the 1950s, rock ’n’ roll was changing popular music forever. At the same time satirist

]]>In the latter part of the 1950s, rock ’n’ roll was changing popular music forever. At the same time satirist Tom Lehrer was competing with the music revolution and causing his own kind of mayhem both sides of the Atlantic. His sharp wit was uniquely original, illustrating to the teenage rebellion that change had come in all forms of the art world. Lehrer sang of Poisoning Pigeons in the Park, doing The Masochism Tango and getting IT (VD) from Agnes. His dark humour gave us the darkly comic Irish Ballad and Hold Your Hand In Mine. His romantic nature brought him to write the love song When You Are Old and Grey and his love of science invoked in him the desire to put the elements of the periodic table to a Gilbert and Sullivan melody.

To celebrate the 90th birthday of Tom Lehrer: pianist, vocalist and all-round entertainer, Peter Gill presents the best-loved songs of the master satirist in a 90-minute show to be held at Huntingdon Hall, Worcester on Thursday 31 May. Entitled Politically Incorrect – The Songs of Tom Lehrer, the audience will relive the golden days of cutting satire and enjoy once again such gems as Poisoning Pigeons in the Park, I Got it from Agnes, The Masochism Tango, The Irish Ballad, I Hold Your Hand in Mine, Pollution, Smut, When You Are Old and Grey, The Elements and Oedipus Rex.

Peter Gill has a string of touring and West End credits to his name as a performer, producer and writer, which are as varied as the dramatic performance in Meet Tommy Atkins to the impersonation of Jerry Lee Lewis in The Jerry Lee Lewis Story and Rock n Roll Paradise. Peter is also well known as the Musical Director of 60s pop star and actress Anita Harris who was recently seen on ITV’s Last Laugh in Vegas.

Politically Incorrect – The Songs of Tom Lehrer will be performed at Huntingdon Hall, Worcester on Thursday 31 May 2018. Tickets are priced at £14.50 Box office:01905 611427

]]>http://westernregional.co.uk/home/peter-gill-presents-songs-tom-lehrer-vintage-satire-still-engaging-60-years/feed/0On song! 150 singers take on Verdi’s Requiem in a day at Worcester choral workshophttp://westernregional.co.uk/home/song-150-singers-take-verdis-requiem-day-worcester-choral-workshop/
http://westernregional.co.uk/home/song-150-singers-take-verdis-requiem-day-worcester-choral-workshop/#respondThu, 03 May 2018 11:02:54 +0000http://westernregional.co.uk/home/?p=1429More than 150 amateur singers from across the country flocked to Worcester in April to learn choral blockbuster Verdi’s Requiem

]]>More than 150 amateur singers from across the country flocked to Worcester in April to learn choral blockbuster Verdi’s Requiem in just one day.

Hosted by Worcester Festival Choral Society and held at The King’s School’s historic College Hall, the exhilarating ‘Come and Sing’ one-day workshop gave singers the chance to try out their vocal chords on the Requiem‘s many choruses, such as the dramatic Dies Irae (Day of Wrath).

The day was led by former Belgian National Opera chorus master Piers Maxim, who is now Director of Music at Great Malvern Priory and conductor of the Elgar Chorale. With pianist Euodia Jordan providing accompaniment, participants were lent a vocal score of the Requiem to help them sing through the popular choral work. The afternoon finished with an informal performance at College Hall, attended by singers’ friends and family free of charge.

Ben Cooper, Chairman of Worcester Festival Choral Society, confirmed: “Verdi’s Requiem is many peoples’ favourite choral work, it sends shivers down the spine. People came along from right across the country for the chance to sing it themselves under a top conductor. One participant was even an American who had given up a day of his London holiday specifically to take part. We had some fantastic feedback. Plans are already in place another singing workshop next year.”

The event was Worcester Festival Choral Society’s third, annual Come and Sing day. The next workshop will be held on Saturday 6 April 2019, offering the chance to ‘Come and Sing’ Beethoven’s magnificent Mass in C. Tickets will be available from the WFCS website early next year.

]]>http://westernregional.co.uk/home/song-150-singers-take-verdis-requiem-day-worcester-choral-workshop/feed/0Food at Webbs awarded Food Hall of the Yearhttp://westernregional.co.uk/home/food-webbs-awarded-food-hall-year/
http://westernregional.co.uk/home/food-webbs-awarded-food-hall-year/#respondThu, 03 May 2018 10:54:57 +0000http://westernregional.co.uk/home/?p=1424Food at Webbs has been named Food Hall of the Year at this year’s prestigious Farm Shop & Deli Awards.

]]>Food at Webbs has been named Food Hall of the Year at this year’s prestigious Farm Shop & Deli Awards.

Food at Webbs fought off stiff competition at the recent awards ceremony held at the NEC, Birmingham. Runners up included Ludlow Food Centre, Delifonseca Dockside, Fodder and Great Cornish Food Store.

Food at Webbs launched its new look Food Hall and Restaurant in spring 2017 and is part of a 100,000 sq ft retail destination, attracting more than one million visitors each year.

The independent, family-run business prides itself on providing top quality food and drinks from local producers at its 6,000 sq ft Food Hall as well as a premium range of national, international and independent products.

The annual awards commended Food at Webbs for its newly renovated Food Hall and broad product offering, as well as its commitment to supporting an extensive network of regional suppliers.

Ed Webb, executive chairman of Webbs, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be recognised by our industry peers and the voting public as a top quality food destination. The award truly reflects how hard the team works to ensure our customers have the best possible shopping experience.

“Our plans for 2018 are in motion and include a variety of bespoke food events, innovative community projects and the development of new products with our local food heroes.”

The Farm Shop & Deli Awards, now in its fifth year, recognises the best in class in the specialist independent retail market, championing the very best standards, levels of service, product innovation and community involvement in the sector.

]]>http://westernregional.co.uk/home/food-webbs-awarded-food-hall-year/feed/0KEMP Hospice ‘Make a Will Week’ returnshttp://westernregional.co.uk/home/kemp-hospice-make-will-week-returns/
http://westernregional.co.uk/home/kemp-hospice-make-will-week-returns/#respondThu, 03 May 2018 10:48:44 +0000http://westernregional.co.uk/home/?p=1417KEMP Hospice’s annual Make a Will Week returns this month with seven Wyre Forest solicitors lending their time and support

]]>KEMP Hospice’s annual Make a Will Week returns this month with seven Wyre Forest solicitors lending their time and support for the popular scheme.

KEMP’s Make a Will Week takes place between Monday 21 May and Friday 25 May and is a fantastic opportunity for people of the Wyre Forest to make or amend their will and to support their local hospice at the same time.

Head of Fundraising at KEMP, Cathy Sloan said: “At KEMP Hospice we understand the importance of preparing for the future of our loved ones, ensuring that it is them who benefit after our death. Making your Will is a very important part of your financial planning, yet incredibly one in three people die without having made this essential provision. ‘Make A Will Week’ is so popular and we regularly take calls from people throughout the year asking when it will be taking place. It’s such an important thing for people to do and I urge as many people to take up this fantastic opportunity.”

Cathy praised the Wyre Forest solicitors taking part: “We are so grateful to all the solicitors taking part once again this year; their support is phenomenal. They are giving their time, free of charge, to update or write a will; and in return all we ask those who take part is to make a donation to KEMP Hospice. Last year’s campaign raised almost £10,000. The money raised helps us to continue caring for local people in the Wyre Forest who are dealing with the challenge of life limiting illness, or loss, and provide much needed support to their loved ones.”

Only a limited number of appointments are available, so everyone is encouraged to book as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Anyone wanting to take part should contact any of the firms participating and mention KEMP Hospice Make a Will Week and the appointment must take place during the week 21–25 May.

Participating firms will not charge for writing a simple Will, joint/mirror Will or a standard codicil (change to a Will) but they will invite you to make a suggested donation to KEMP. If your Will is not a simple one and you require specialist advice or tax advice, the firm you choose will advise you about the full costs prior to agreeing any instructions.

]]>http://westernregional.co.uk/home/kemp-hospice-make-will-week-returns/feed/0Get ready for the best jazz festival this side of New Orleanshttp://westernregional.co.uk/home/get-ready-best-jazz-festival-side-new-orleans/
http://westernregional.co.uk/home/get-ready-best-jazz-festival-side-new-orleans/#respondFri, 27 Apr 2018 11:17:35 +0000http://westernregional.co.uk/home/?p=1407Preparations are in full swing for this summer’s Upton Jazz Festival. Rebranded for 2018 with a bold, modern new look,

]]>Preparations are in full swing for this summer’s Upton Jazz Festival.

Rebranded for 2018 with a bold, modern new look, this year’s festival is the 33rd to be held in the Worcestershire riverside town. And this year, it’s heading back to its roots with a host of new, intimate venues in the town centre. Pubs, hotels, clubs and even resident river cruiser the Conway Castle will be transformed into jazz venues hosting the very best in Dixieland to boogie woogie, hot club to European, trad to swing and gypsy jazz.

Artisan food and drink stalls and stands selling music memorabilia will spring up down by the riverside along with a lively fringe festival packed with up-and-coming bands and more established musicians. Hosted by the Swan Hotel, the fringe is supported by Worcestershire mental health charity The Nathan Tomkins Trust, and will be a showcase for talented buskers, would-be bands and more experienced performers. And the festival will celebrate the 10th year of the Best of Young Jazz, the festival’s music education showcase, which encourages the rising stars of the jazz world to perform with professional musicians in front of a live audience.

A total of 50 gigs will take place over the four days of the festival, which takes place from 21–24 June.

‘This year’s festival is going to be better than ever,’ said Musical Director Rachel Hayward. ‘After feedback from our festival-goers in 2017, we took the decision to move it back into the town where it first began 33 years ago, to more intimate venues, which make the most of Upton’s fantastic atmosphere. Several long-standing jazz festivals have fallen by the wayside in recent years, but this will give Upton a new lease of life. We can’t wait for June.’

But there are a host of new faces, ranging from the Basin Street Brawlers – London’s top hot jazz ensemble – to the Jake Leg Jug Band, with their 20s and 30s sound, and The Water Gypsies, usually found hanging out on their canal boat in Bath. Jazz Connection from Holland, Mama Shakers from Paris and James Evans from New Orleans all maintain the festival’s international flavour.

Early bird tickets are available until 1 May, starting at just £25.00, and weekend camping is available. Ticket prices have been held at 2017 rates.

Early bookings for Malvern Walking Festival 2018 (MWF) are way ahead of last year and the organisers are anticipating a sell-out.

This year’s programme, now in its 17th year, is the biggest and best ever for MWF. There are 51 walks available over the nine-day programme, making it one of the largest walking festivals in southern England.

Add to that the fact that the Malvern Hills are in an Area of Outstanding Natural beauty and it’s not surprising the Festival has proven so popular. There are a wide variety of walks available on this year’s festival, so there’s something for everybody regardless of their ability or interests. Some of the walks are short and themed, including history, gardens, geology, Elgar’s music, trees and farming; and some are more challenging. There’s a six-day, 65 mile discovery trail from Ludlow back towards Malvern; there are two walks of three days each covering about 35 miles around the Malvern Hills, plus dozens of other shorter walks ranging from a couple of hours to full days, and ranging from one mile to 18 miles.

Today, walking and walking festivals are proving more and more popular as people realise the benefits of a brisk stroll and socialising with other like-minded folk.

Bob Baldwin, the Festival Chairman, summed it up saying: ‘This year’s programme benefits from the feedback from previous festivals, with our walkers telling us exactly what they want and what they’ve enjoyed. We’re confident that with the help of our enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteer leaders, we are offering a programme that promotes the delights of the Worcestershire and Herefordshire countryside in general and Malvern in particular.’

Full details and bookings are available on MWFestival’s website www.malvernwalking.uk or at the Malvern Tourist Information Centre in person, or phone 01684 892289.

]]>http://westernregional.co.uk/home/malvern-walking-festival-2018/feed/0Launch of new book – PITCHCROFT: 300 YEARS OF RACING IN WORCESTERhttp://westernregional.co.uk/home/launch-new-book-pitchcroft-300-years-racing-worcester/
http://westernregional.co.uk/home/launch-new-book-pitchcroft-300-years-racing-worcester/#respondFri, 27 Apr 2018 09:52:29 +0000http://westernregional.co.uk/home/?p=1380Launch to take place at Worcester Racecourse on Thursday 10 May In 2018, Worcester Racecourse is celebrating its 300-year anniversary

In 2018, Worcester Racecourse is celebrating its 300-year anniversary as one of the oldest racecourses in the UK. The first race meeting hosted at the site in the heart of Worcester city centre, known as Pitchcroft, took place on 27 June 1718.

To celebrate this historic milestone, a special edition anniversary book – PITCHCROFT: 300 YEARS OF RACING IN WORCESTER – has been written and is on sale now. From fist fights to first fights, floods to firm favourites, author Chris Pitt takes the reader galloping through the colourful history of Worcester Racecourse, chronicling the events, the people and the equine stars that made their contribution during 300 years of racing at Pitchcroft.

As racing returns to Worcester on Thursday 10 May for the season opener fixture, before racing the official book launch will take place with author Chris Pitt sharing some of his highlights from the book, as well as being available to sign copies of any books purchased on the day.

Chris Pitt said: ‘Having previously written books about closed racecourses, it’s been a refreshing change to tell the story of one that’s very much alive. It has also been a genuine pleasure to chronicle the events, the people and the horses that together weave the tapestry of 300 years of racing in Worcester. Pitchcroft has a colourful and varied history and I’ve enjoyed bringing it to life.’

Executive Director of Worcester Racecourse, Jenny Cheshire, added: ‘We are hugely excited about the 2018 season and celebrating our special anniversary year with the local community, local businesses, the racing industry and our customers who have shown us so much support over the years. As one of the oldest racecourses in the UK we want to mark the occasion with a series of events throughout the year, starting with the book launch on our Season Opener Raceday on Thursday 10 May. Chris has written a fascinating book taking us on a journey from the first race in 1718 right through to the present day, with many facts and stories that have surprised and enthralled us all. I am very much looking forward to sharing these stories with our customers and friends of the racecourse when racing returns to Worcester on 10 May.’

In addition to the book launch, on Wednesday 4 July 2018 at the 300 Year Anniversary Raceday, the racecourse is reviving the historic Worcester Grand Annual Steeple Chase which was first run in March 1836. This race produced a number of famous horses, including the 1853 Worcester Grand Annual, won by Bourton, who went on to win the Grand National at Aintree in 1854. After 85 years of absence since the last running of the Worcester Grand Annual in 1933, this historic steeple chase will be the feature race on this anniversary raceday.

To purchase PITCHCROFT: 300 YEARS OF RACING AT WORCESTER,email pitchcroft300@gmail.com or call the Racecourse office on 01905 253 64. Books are priced at £13.99 and can be collected from the Racecourse office, or alternatively postage is an additional £2.00.

]]>http://westernregional.co.uk/home/launch-new-book-pitchcroft-300-years-racing-worcester/feed/0Art of The Great War 1914 – 1918http://westernregional.co.uk/home/art-great-war-1914-1918/
http://westernregional.co.uk/home/art-great-war-1914-1918/#respondFri, 27 Apr 2018 09:47:38 +0000http://westernregional.co.uk/home/?p=1376Thursday 7 June – Wednesday 12 September 2018 In partnership with the 2018 Broadway Arts Festival, the Broadway Museum and

In partnership with the 2018 Broadway Arts Festival, the Broadway Museum and Art Gallery at 65 High Street, Broadway, WR12 7DP is delighted to be hosting the major Festival Exhibition, Art of The Great War 1914–1918, to honour the Centenary of the Armistice of 11 November 1918.

The Exhibition will open on Thursday 7 June, and the good news is that it will remain with the museum for a season, until Wednesday 12 September.

The works on show will comprise original art and prints of the period, all from the John Noott Collection, in an attempt to portray the horror – and some of the humour – of a conflict that devastated the lives of millions of people.

John Noott was born in 1932, and among his earliest memories is talk of the Great War; his father Stanley spent four years in the Royal Army Medical Corps, and young John was fascinated when his father attended Remembrance services, bowler hat and service medals on display. The second war followed, from 1939–1945 and, at age 7, John was well aware of the danger the country was in, and his memories of that period are still clear.

For the last 50 years, John has been a successful art dealer, and when, during that time, artwork depicting either war has come his way he has put it to one side, enabling exhibitions of this type to be mounted. He sees them as an opportunity educate, to explain something of the history of the 20th century.

Broadway Museum and Art Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10.00am until 5.00pm (last entry 4.30pm). Please see the website for details at www.broadwaymuseum.org.uk.

Robin Walker, Worcester’s Conservative MP, took time out from his busy schedule to meet Jilly. Already familiar with her work, he owns a print of Worcester Cathedral which lives in his office in Downing Street. Pia Potter-Farrant (pictured far left) and her team at the Hive helped organise the event. Sandra Taylor, Publicity Officer, represented the Civic Society.

The exhibition is designed to build awareness of the city’s wealth of architectural assets, highlighting the global interest and importance of some of Worcester’s treasures. Art and architecture have always been good bed fellows and this exhibitions re-imagines the classic buildings through vibrant ink and watercolour to iconic pop art; what better venue to showcase this than The Hive?

This exhibition is supported by the Worcester Civic Society. The society believes that Worcester has a proud history, with many firsts and innovations in arts and industry, and also possesses an impressive and unique natural and built environment.

Jilly’s work is on show until 22 January. Learn about some of the historic buildings in Worcester and her inspiration in painting them. The Hive is the first joint public university and library in Europe and has some of the best facilities in the country. For more information, visit http://www.archiimp.com